Reducing the cost of CO2 capture by improving the solvent regeneration process

Global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, with 2024 marking the highest annual levels on record, despite the rapid and unprecedented growth in renewable energy. Achieving rapid and deep emission reductions requires large-scale deployment of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), which is included as a critical component in all major net-zero pathways. However, the high cost of CO2 capture remains one of the most significant barriers to accelerating the adoption of CCUS. Among capture methods, solvent absorption is the most widely applied for post-combustion point-source emissions; however, it is highly energy-intensive, with over 80% of the total energy demand arising from solvent regeneration. Studies indicate that energy consumption accounts for around 40% of the operating cost of CO2 capture, highlighting the urgent need for energy-efficient regeneration strategies. This paper presents CO2CRC’s novel hybrid capture technology, which addresses the challenges of large footprint and energy consumption by significantly reducing solvent regeneration costs. This novel technology meets the challenges through lower regeneration temperatures, reduced steam consumption, elimination of solvent phase change during regeneration, and the potential integration of waste heat. Together, these innovations demonstrate a pathway to lowering capture costs and enabling broader deployment of CCUS in support of global decarbonisation.